Hong Kong’s dining scene is never stagnant and this month is no exception! Loosen up those belt strings and forget toning up that bikini bod… we’d much rather be chowing down on pasta galore at Jamie Oliver’s new resto (if you can get a reservation, that is!), throwing back pancakes at the city’s first pancake bar and rummin’ it at a new Caribbean-inspired bar! If you want to go the healthy route, there’s plenty for you, too, with a new superfoods snacks shop and gluten-free baked goods delivery service! Can you say Nom Nom Nom? Here’s August’s Food News Flash:

NEW OPENINGS

AlchemyThis new bar and restaurant is tucked away up on Arbuthnot Road and oozes French glamour and mystery. The swish decor has quirky touches that make this place feel very cool – and they have the cocktails to match (we recommend the Buddha’s Tears!). But the thing that makes this place so special is that it’s serving up dinner in a pretty unique setting… in pitch darkness, that is. That’s right, you may have heard of this concept in London and New York, but now you can ‘dine in the dark’ in Hong Kong! It’s a fun way to get out sans kids and definitely a thought-provoking experience, especially as all the waiters are visually impaired. Try it out, or if you’re not keen, then just enjoy a delicious cocktail in the bar upstairs with your hubby.

Italian StallionIt’s finally open! Jamie’s Italian has hit Hong Kong with a bang and we were lucky enough to go and try it out on the opening day (stay tuned for our upcoming review!). The spacious and funky decor is welcoming and the comfort food is perfect for family-style sharing. The drinks prices are super reasonable with a peach Bellini clocking in at only $45, so it’s ideal for a chilled out evening with friends… that is if you can get a table! Reservations are booked until September, but they do have space for walk-ins. We suggest going early at 5pm or late, at 9pm, to get a walk-in table.

Rummin’ Fun!
Looking for a hip destination in the heart of the city for a little rum-inspired fun? The guys behind Fatty Crab are opening Rummin’ Tings – a Caribbean-inspired bar and restaurant that is sure to put you in a festive mood for a fun night out! Straight from the Caribbean, Chef Kris plans to bring a variety of spices and punchy flavours to his food and drinks, and we can’t wait to have the first sip!

Rummin’ Tings, 28 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong

Tasty Tapas
Helmed by Michelin-starred Executive Chef Paolo Casagrande, ISONO Eatery and Bar at PMQ is gearing up for its soft opening, so make sure you add this one to your list of must-try restaurants! This eatery will feature an array of tasty tapas and Spanish dishes and is sure to be a hit amongst Hong Kong’s already tapas-crazed crowds! Chef Casagrande has created the dining concept around his passion for Basque Cuisine, so check in here for a taste of Spain in the heart of Hong Kong.

1950s Throwback
Get down-home comfort fare at newly opened New York-inspired Italian eatery Carbone, located in Central’s LKF Tower. Major Food Group trio Mario Carbone, Rich Torrisi, and Jeff Zalaznick opened the restaurant in Greenwich Village in New York last April, and lucky for us, they’ve brought the acclaimed eatery to Hong Kong with sumptuous Italian dishes served with old-school flair – expect wonderful service and a bit of table-side theatre!

Carbone, 9/F, LKF Tower, 23 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong

Nom Nom Nom!
The name of this bakery which sells fresh, home-baked goods straight to your doorstep says it all! Started by Laura Fairchild, Nom Nom Nom Bakery is all about delivering made-to-order baked goods straight to your door that are organic, vegan and gluten-free! Yes, health-conscious mamas get excited – this is the perfect opportunity to have your cake and eat it too!

Superfood Snacks
On the superfood bandwagon? Be sure you’re getting the best in quality and ingredients for your family by picking up products from newly launched superfood snacks company Anything But Salads. They sell everything from chai masala to granola mixes to hemp crackers and kale crisps (pretty much anything you can think of that will give you guilt-free munching throughout the day!) Check out Anything But Salads products at retailers around the city, including MANA!, Spicebox Organics, Choice Cooperative, IPC++ Foodlab and Something Fresh.

Pancake HeavenIf you’re a fan of pancakes (here’s one for the kiddos!), you’re going to want to scoot on down to STACK in Sai Ying Pun to check out how they’re taking pancakes from ordinary breakfast food to complex culinary creations with a menu that includes pancake sandwiches, pancakes paired with fresh cod, Mexican-style pancakes topped with guacamole, ribs and pancakes… you get the picture. It’s pancake heaven at this hip spot, which also serves up an interesting menu of tasty cocktails paired with, you guessed it, pancakes!

Fresh Food to Go
Serving up fresh baked goods, Ali Oli has just opened a new location at One Pacific Centre in Kwun Tong. The spacious new shop is offering an array of gourmet goods, including fresh pastries, salads and sandwiches, as well as Italian coffee, premium tea and freshly-squeezed juice. Mamas, this is the perfect drop-in spot for a quick coffee and sandwich on-the-go or a break from shopping with the little one!

NEW MENUS AND PROMOTIONS

Il Mattarello
Pasta lovers, you have to try out Il Mattarello. This brand new company creates handmade, artisanal fresh pasta that’s pack full of flavour. Using traditional and authentic Italian techniques, they provide made-to-order fresh pasta that uses organic, natural ingredients that are MSG free… yum. Choose from simple Tagliatelle, Fettuccine, or Spaghetti (and don’t forget to test out their divine homemade pesto sauce!) or try their original Cappelletti pasta. Try out their new flavour, Pumpkin and Parmesan Cappelletti, for the ultimate pasta experience – comfort food at its best! They’ve also got a new Italian Mushroom Tomato sauce that’s worth testing out… mamma mia!

Summer at BoqueriaOne of our favourite Spanish restos, Boqueria, has spruced up their menu for summer with some seafood-inspired tapas dishes. Try out some of their seasonal dishes such as Gazpacho ($58), Ventresca de Atún Rojo ($288 – Spanish fatty tuna “Toro” served with lemon, olive oil and sea salt) and Ceviche de Vieiras ($138 – scallop ceviche with lime, tarragon and pickled jalapeños). These refreshing dishes are perfect for cooling down this summer! Try them out and don’t forget to wash them down with a glass of Pink-ish Sangria ($98).

Shake those Buns!Fatty Crab is rolling out all-you-can-eat baos this summer for only $120 per person, every Wednesday from 5.30-11.30pm! We can’t think of a better way to spend a weekday evening that chowing down on these delicious pork and veggie soft buns. Pick and choose the toppings and sides you want to pair with your yummy pork belly bao – and don’t forget the Sriracha sauce!

Theatre of TapasLooking for a unique dining experience that tells a story? Look no further than Zafran’s Theatre of Tapas menu, which will give you an exclusive front-row seat to Chef Pedro’s culinary world. You’ll get to see the exquisite dishes being created before your eyes, as well as hear the full story behind every dish and the ingredients that make them – perfect for a date night and break from parenting duties. Find out Chef Pedro’s secrets and enjoy this fascinating journey! Only very limited seats are available so make sure you book quick…

School’s Out!
It’s summer break and W Hong Kong is celebrating by letting only kids under 12 dine for free at Kitchen, their all-day dining resto at the hip Kowloon hotel. From 12-2:30pm Mon-Sat, kids enjoy a complimentary lunch buffet, which includes plenty of kid-friendly treats from local and global cuisines as well as a dessert bar! The price for adults is $258, so bring the whole family along for a festive lunch buffet!

Free for Kids!
Here’s another one to bring the kiddos too! From now until the end of September, for every two adults dining at The Food Gallery in The Langham, one child under 13 dines for free! The Food Gallery is a culinary wonderland, with multiple live cooking stations, an extensive selection of international seafood, fresh salads and mouthwatering desserts. Dishes cover East to West, so there’s something for every palate, as well as a special kids corner serving up mini burgers, mini pizzas, fish & chips, waffles, popcorn and candy! What more could a kid want? $268 per adult

Ayu-thai-yaTake your brunch bunch somewhere different and head to Ayu-thai-ya on Hollywood road for a formidable Thai feast. Choose from a yummy selection at the appetiser buffet (hello unlimited satay… ) before ordering mains and dessert to your table. The best thing about this Sunday brunch is that it’s such great value! At only $188 per person or $288 per person with unlimited Monsoon Valley Thai wines, Singha beer and cocktails, you’re definitely getting your money’s worth. Brunch is every Sunday from 12-3pm.

Ham and Sherry BocadillosHit up Ship Street’s Ham & Sherry for a brand new lunch deal. Bag two courses for only $128, starting off with a healthy salad and followed by a delicious bocadillo! Try the burger with melted Manchego, tomato pickles and smoked mushrooms or the “Po Boy” with fried squid, avocado, house fermented chilli sauce and garlic fries… yum!

Burger ArtYep, you read that right… Gallery Café & Dining are serving up some crazy and creative burgers with their Gallery Burger Bonanza menu this month. This contemporary resto is asking guests to create their own ‘burger art’ creations with their online design tools and we have to admit it sounds pretty fun! Plus, the kids are sure to love this one, as they finally have an excuse to play with their food! In addition, the special burger menu will include the mouth-watering Thai Sirloin Steak Burger, the Vegetarian Portobello Burger, the Blue Cheese Bacon Burger and the Zesty Lime Chicken Burger. Delicious! Check out their ‘burger gallery’ here…

Gold RushAcclaimed Chef Harland Goldstein is celebrating his 20th anniversary in Hong Kong with a three-course tasting menu of all-time favourites at ‘Gold’ in Lan Kwai Fong. The menu will be available from now until the end of October for $580 per person and will feature signature dishes that guests love. Choose from a range of exquisite starters and mains – we like the sound of the Hokkaido Sea Scallop Carpaccio, with Slow-Cooked Egg & White Truffle Dressing followed by the Grilled 60 Days Wet-Aged US Prime Hanger Steak of Beef, with Trademark Horseradish Mashed Potato, Organic Asparagus and Roasted Garlic Jus. Top it off with Harlan’s intriguing Nitrogen Dessert Creation. Now that’s what we call a good meal for a date night out!

Nordic BrunchThe very cool FINDS restaurant now has a weekend brunch available from 12-2.30pm every Saturday, Sunday and public holiday. Great if you want to change up your usual Sunday brunch routine! The four course options are accompanied by a carving trolley, which serves up Executive Chef Jaakko Sorsa’s Gravad Lax Salmon. Expect lots of seafood and don’t forget to end your brunch with a Nordic Waffle Party… Swedish waffles with jam and fresh-whipped cream? Yes please. Brunch is $398 per person; an additional $40 includes one drink of your choice and an additional $80 includes free-flow drinks.

Tea for TwoYet more afternoon tea delights await at The Excelsior’s Café on the 1st. Two new flavours of scones – coffee-cocoa and strawberry-banana – are complimented by home-made roselle-fig jam. And it doesn’t end there, as savoury bites including crabmeat salad on endive and English ham and cheese. The afternoon tea is $218 per person or $368 for two, and is served from 3-6pm daily.

Sunday Omakase BrunchSushi Tsuraku offers up unique omakase food that we love (check out our review here), and now you can enjoy it for brunch too! Every Sunday between 12-2pm you’ll be able to choose between a sashimi and nigiri set for $400 per person, or a coveted omakase chef selection set for $550. Add on $300 for free-flow sake and get ready for a high-quality Japanese feast!

Lobster & BubblesLooking to indulge? Head over to the swish Café Causette at the Mandarin to try their pop-up Lobster and Bubbles menu! Featuring decadent lobster dishes and the best Champagne, this is definitely the place to come if you’re looking to splash out! With lobster skewers, tacos, dip and even lobster mac & cheese on offer, you’ll definitely get your fill of this coveted seafood. Two courses paired with a glass of bubbles is $408 and three courses paired with a glass of bubbles is $488. Go all out with the Surf and Turf and half a bottle of Billecart – Salmon Brut for $1,188! Available until the end of August.

Ebony & Ivory DessertsCafé at the Hyatt Regency, Hong Kong, Sha Tin, has a brand new collection of black and white chocolate desserts this month that will continue into September. Pastry Chef Kelvin Lai has created delicious sweets such as homemade white forest cake and black forest cake as well as panna cotta, caramel tarts and chocolate crunch cake. If you or your kiddos have got a sweet-tooth, check it out at the restaurant’s lunch and dinner buffets starting from $298 (Mon-Fri).

Celebrate the Good Times!
Flint Grill & Bar at the JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong is a gorgeous venue for those special occasions. With high quality food and a stunning setting, this is definitely one for any upcoming birthdays or anniversaries. And you’re in luck if you do have any special occasions on the horizon, as Flint Grill & Bar are offering a dining package for $988 per person which includes a four-course dinner menu, a complimentary bottle of Ayala Champagne and a cocktail class! Talk about classy. What’s more, if you’re there for a birthday celebration, the birthday guest dines free and gets a complimentary cake too…

T-Bone TuesdayIn more food news, The Butcher’s Club just keeps on going with yet another cool regular night starting this August. T-Bone Tuesday is a weekly event featuring a four-course classic steak dinner (with, you guessed it, T-bone steaks!) for $750 per person. That dry-aged Angus beef is too good to resist… buy tickets here.

Chope for CharityChope, the online restaurant reservations company, has teamed up with Foodlink Foundation to raise money for their great cause. If you spot one of their mini-buses out and about, take a snap of it and Chope will donate $20 to Foodlink! Alternatively, take a picture of you ‘choping’ on a mini-bus and they’ll donate $10… don’t know what ‘choping’ is? Find out more here!

Food Panda LaunchNew delivery service, Food Panda, has officially launched in Hong Kong for those nights when you just don’t have the energy to cook up a feast for the fam. With a host of different restaurants available – including Sassy Mama favourites such as MANA!, K-Roll and Bao Wow, this is perfect for those lazy Saturday nights in. Use their handy app to order and get hot, delicious food delivered straight to your door! There’s no delivery fee either so it won’t cost an arm and a leg, and you’ll be able to serve your troop of hungry munchkins in no time!

After studying journalism at Columbia University, Leslie spent two years editing a parenting magazine in Shanghai and brought that mama-expertise to Sassy Mama. She's a kid at heart, with an insatiable love for cocktails and cupcakes.